Liverpool caught rivals napping with Jurgen Klopp appointment says Jan Molby

Liverpool appointed one of the most sought-after coaches in world football when Jurgen Klopp joined the club last year, believes former player Jan Molby. The likes of Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid have all changed their managers in the past 12 months, but it was the Reds who lured Klopp out of his self-imposed exile.

The German is celebrating 12 months in the Anfield hot seat this month and has enjoyed an impressive first year at the club. While reaching two cup finals in the League Cup and Europa League, Klopp is unbeaten in 48 of his 61 games in charge, winning 30. The Merseysiders currently occupy a Champions League place and are just two points behind leaders Manchester City.

Klopp arrived at Liverpool with a stellar reputation from his spell at Borussia Dortmund where he won successive Bundesliga titles and reached the 2012 European Cup final. Such was his success, Molby remains surprised the club were able to lure him to the Premier League, and believes the likes of Chelsea and United will be kicking themselves.

"When I heard that Jurgen Klopp was set to become Liverpool's manager, my initial reaction was one of surprise," he told the Liverpool Echo. "Don't get me wrong, I was delighted as well. But my surprise was that Liverpool had managed to get a manager of such calibre at that time.

"Look, I know the draw of the club as well as anyone. And I would recommend it to anyone too. But I can't help feeling that the Reds nipped in while some of Europe's other top clubs were napping. They missed a trick, and Liverpool benefited.

"How much would Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United, Bayern Munich love to have a manager like Klopp at their club? I was sad to see the way it ended for Brendan Rodgers, but I think Liverpool had to act when they did, and they had to make sure they got Klopp. And I, like everyone else, am glad that they did."

Chelsea sacked Jose Mourinho two months after Klopp's arrival in English football, eventually replacing him with Antonio Conte. United meanwhile enlisted the Portuguese coach in the summer after dismissing Louis van Gaal at the end of last season.

After Klopp left Dortmund following the conclusion of the 2014-15 season, United could have moved for the 49-year-old but instead opted to retain Van Gaal for a second campaign at Old Trafford. Liverpool will hope to show United what they are missing when the two square off on 17 October upon the resumption of the Premier League season.